Pope Francis thanks Hungary for "loving hospitality” during visit
The pope said he had “felt the love of each Hungarian” during his visit between April 28-30.
The pope said he had “felt the love of each Hungarian” during his visit between April 28-30.
“Let us try to be – in our words, deeds and daily activities – like Jesus, an open door: a door that is never shut in anyone’s face, a door...
The pope was shown around the facility where the home’s residents gave a short program and presented the pontiff with gifts prepared by them.
Sunday mass was attended by President Katalin Novák, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Parliamentary Speaker László Kövér, among others.
The pope commemorated Cardinal József Mindszenty, quoting the late cardinal as saying, “if a million Hungarians are praying, I will have no fear of the future”.
Hungary would not exist without Christianity, and its future depends on sticking to that path, PM Orbán said.
The pontiff arrived in a Fiat 500X accompanied by three hussars of the Count Ferenc Nádasdy Hussar Regiment. The Pontifical Anthem and the National Anthem of Hungary were played, and an equestrian parade was held.
As part of the first stop in his official three-day visit to Budapest, Hungary, Pope Francis spoke at the Carmelite Monastery, emphasizing that world peace could only be preserved via creative efforts commensurate with the challenges to achieving it.
President Katalin Novák said the pope’s visit was an honor not just for Catholics but all Hungarians.
Zoltán Kovács said making preparations was a state responsibility, though the pope’s visit would “basically be an apostolic event”.
László Kiss-Rigó, the bishop of Szeged-Csanád, said the pope was returning to Hungary to visit its Christians and Catholics.
Matteo Bruni, the spokesman of the Holy See, has given an outline of the pontiff’s upcoming visit to Hungary on April 28-30.
Csaba Török said the pontiff’s speeches and homilies will likely contain a “strong message” in connection with the war.